Frame



April 18, 1933. H. H. LEHERE 1,904,318

FRAME Filed July e, 1951 A TTORNEY Patented Apr. 418, 19.33

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE HENRY H. LEHERE, F AKRON, OHIO FRAME Application led July 6, 1931. Serial No. 548,780.

This invention relates to improvements in frames for pictures, mirrors, etc.

Objects of the invention are to provide a frame of simple, durable construction, which may be manufactured at a low cost and which will be very convenient in use.

particular object is to provide a frame having elastic iaps for securing the picture, mirror, or other article in the frame whereby l0 the framed article will be yieldably held in position within the frame by the inherent elasticity of said flaps.

A further object is to provide a suitable frame composed of rubber to provide a relatively hard frame body having elastic rubber flaps, formed integrally therewith for yieldably holding a picture or other article therein.

An additional object is to provide a onepiece'frame which will include efficient means for yieldably securing a picture, mirror or other article therein.

The above objects are accomplished and additional ends are attained by the novel construction, combination and arrangement of parts hereinafter described and illustrated in the accompanying drawing, wherein I have shown a preferred form of the invention, it being understood that the invention is capable of various adaptations and that changes and modifications may be madeor resort had to substitutions which come within the scope of the claims hereunto appended.

In the drawing like characters of reference are employed to denote like parts as the same may appear in any of the several views and in which Figure l is a rear, elevational View of a frame constructed in accordance with this invention,

Figure 2 is a front elevational view showing the same with an article framed therein,

Figure 3 is a cross sectional view taken as indicated by the lines 3 3 of Figure 1, the

same being vtaken with an article framed therein,

Figure 4 is a similar view illust-rating the manner of inserting the article in the frame.

Proceeding now to a detailed description of the invention with reference to the parvbe employed, in the drawing I ticular adaptation thereof disclosed in the drawing, the numeral 5 is used generally to denote a frame body which is composed of one piece of rubber. While the frame 5 may be of any suitable form, in the draw J ing I have shown it constructed in ordinary form.

The main portion of the body 5 is preferably composed of a hard rubber composition. The frame is provided with the open- C9 ing 6 of the desired shape and size. The opening 6 is offset larger at the rear side of the frame to provide a shoulder 7 against which the glass 8 is positioned. The picture or other article 9 to be framed is posi- G5 tioned against the glass 8 and a sheet of cardboard 10 or other relatively stili' material is positioned against the rear side of the picture to hold the same fiat against the glass 8. The frame 5 is provided along the rear 70 edge thereof with a plurality of elastic flaps 11 which project forwardly beyond the edges of the opening 6. The flaps 11 are preferably formed integrally with the frame 5 to form a unitary structure.

While any suitable number of flaps 1l may have shown four flaps, one projecting forwardly from each of the four sides of the frame.

The numeral 12 denotes a slot which is 80 formed in the body 5 along the inner or forward face of each Hap 11. The slot l2 projects into the body 5 a suflicient distance to permit the flap 1l to be turned back as shown in Figure 4.

In constructing a frame in accordance with this invention, the distance between the flange 7 and each flap 1l is arranged to provide the amount of space required to receive the article to be framed.

In use, the article to be framed is inserted under the flap 11 at one side of the frame. The other flaps 11 are bent back as shown in Figure 4 and the article to be framed is posi- 95 tioned on the flange 7 to cover the opening 6.

As the flaps 11 are composed of relatively soft elastic rubber, the resilient nature of this material will cause the same to immediately assume a normal position whereby the article 100 to be framed will be yieldably, yet securely held in position within the frame.

A frame manufactured in accordance with this invention is referably formed in a mold. The mold is fille with an unvulcanized hard rubber compound in which are inserted the at portions 11 which are formed of an unvulcanized soft rubber compound. The whole is then enclosed in a mold and the frame is vulcanized so that the elastic flaps 11 and the main body of the frame 5 are v integrally joined to form one piece of material.

While I have shown a hard rubber frame 5 the main body of the frame 5 may be molded or otherwise formed of any suitable material and the aps 11 suitably secured thereto to function as above described.

Havin thus illustrated my invention and describe the same in detail, what I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent 1s:-

1. In a frame of the class described, a frame body composed of one piece of hard rubber, said body having an opening therein for exposition to view the article to be framed, and soft rubber flaps on the rear side of said frame, said flaps projecting inwardly beyond the edge of said opening.

2. In a frameof the class described, a unitary body composed of hard rubber, said body having a frame opening and elastic flaps formed integrally with said body for retaining an article in said frame.

n testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand.

HENRY H. LEHERE. 

